Low-Index Discontinuity THz Waveguides

A new type of dielectric THz waveguide, which evolved from a recent approach from the held of integrated optics, is presented with theoretical and experimental results. Due to the continuity of electric flux density at a dielectric interface, the THz wave is predominantly confined in the virtually lossless low-index air core of a high-index dielectric waveguide. Attenuation, dispersion, field enhancement and field confinement properties of the waveguide are discussed and compared to those of other THz waveguide approaches.